13 Healthy Summer Recipes You'll Want to Keep on Repeat (2024)

Indian Cauliflower Fried Rice

Even fried rice can be good for you when you substitute cauliflower rice, which boosts the nutrition, while lowering the calories in this meal loaded with vegetables and warm Indian spices. Toss in plenty of fresh peas and cilantro to showcase some of the season's best produce.

Beef Kabobs with Corn and Orzo Salad

"This was a perfect summer night meal! We marinated the steaks for a couple hours prior to putting them on skewers, which helped keep the steaks juicy and tender," raves one BHG home cook about this healthy recipe. Follow her lead, or simply rub the sirloin with the spice mixture just before grilling. Either way, you'll be treated to succulent skewers of lean meat that are elevated by a produce-packed pasta salad.

Buy It: OXO Stainless Grilling Skewers, Set of 6 ($16, Bed Bath & Beyond)

Burrito Bowls

As much fun as it is to try new healthy summer dinners, sometimes you just want to stuff your face with a big old fast-food restaurant burrito bowl. Our version is built on a bed of cauliflower rice and studded with corn (try fresh, not frozen), avocado, and lean chicken or pork. It's one "burrito" you can actually feel good about eating, even with extra guac.

Zoodle Bowls with Tomato Sauce and Sausage

Zucchini noodles are one of our best tips for extending healthy dinners that can fill even uber-hearty appetites. Here, we dress up oodles of zoodles (seriously, 24 cups, so turn to this dinner when you've got one of those arm-sized summer squashes) in an easy fresh tomato-basil sauce. To pump up the protein, add chicken sausage or any other leftovers.

Sheet-Pan Chicken with Peaches and Tomatoes

Gather a bounty of fresh peaches, garden-ripe tomatoes, and the chicken breasts that are probably already in your fridge. Arrange it all on a sheet pan and dress it in a super-simple vinaigrette. Dinner's done, and you've used only one pan. You can serve your family this easy, healthy summer meal even on the hottest and most hectic of evenings.

Buy It: OXO Nonstick Pro Half Sheet Pan ($15, Target)

Grilled Shrimp Panzanella

We've overhauled panzanella, a traditional Italian salad featuring dry bread and tomatoes. For our healthy summer recipe, which features a wider range of vitamins and minerals, and even more color, we call for extra-fresh, seasonal produce, like bell peppers and zucchini. This dish can be a healthy summer dinner for as many as 10 people (talk about the perfect choice for summer potlucks).

Chicken Cobb Pitas

When you're struggling to choose between chicken salad or a sandwich, turn to this quick, healthy summer meal that combines both. Ready in just 25 minutes, this high-protein recipe is filling, thanks to shredded leftover or rotisserie chicken, hard-boiled eggs, a bit of crispy bacon, blue cheese, and avocado. Fresh tomatoes, green onions, and a completely no-cook game plan will help you keep your cool.

Chicken, Tomato, and Cucumber Salad

Summer-fresh tomatoes and cucumbers add bright, in-season flavor to this lettuce-free entrée salad recipe. Briny, healthy, fat-filled olives and protein-rich chicken make it surprisingly satisfying, considering its calorie count—just 336 calories per serving.

Turkey Meat Loaf with Peach-Barbecue Glaze

Top-rated among our favorite quick, healthy summer recipes, this isn't your grandma's meat loaf. Filled with cheese and mixed vegetables, then slathered in a peachy barbecue sauce, these turkey pockets are everything you want in a comforting meal. And, quite possibly the best news—they can be on your table in 30 minutes.

Sloppy Turkey and Veggie Sandwiches

If you're seeking a lighter twist on a comfort food classic, try our turkey and veggie riff on sloppy joes. Don't forget the creamy yogurt and goat cheese sauce—it lends just enough richness to balance out all the produce. That way, this 25-minute healthy summer dinner idea doesn't taste at all like "health food."

Creamy Farro-Smothered Portobellos

Farro, an ancient grain with a chewy, nutty texture, stars alongside Swiss chard, dried tomatoes, and goat cheese in our simple stuffed portobellos. At under 220 calories per serving—but with 12 grams of protein—this entrée proves it can be delicious as well as healthy.

Grilled Honey-Orange Chicken Salad

Prepare the marinade for this sweet citrus salad in the morning and let the chicken marinate all day long. Not only will this shorten your evening prep time, but it'll give the chicken time to absorb the irresistible flavors.

Adobo Chicken and Black Beans

This easy, one-skillet recipe comes packed with flavor, thanks to Fresno and chipotle peppers and a summery squeeze of fresh citrus. Well-seasoned chicken and hearty black beans add lots of protein and heft.